Master plan for University
Park taking shape

More green space, less traffic and a shift in the academic core toward
Beaver Stadium are concepts identified by the University Park community
of how the campus should look in the coming decades.

In the latest in a series of meetings held to gather input on the Campus
Master Plan -- the document that will guide development of the University
Park campus over the next 25 to 30 years -- consultants said people clearly
favored retaining current open areas, like the lawns of the HUB and Old
Main, and creating new green spaces. In addition, limiting vehicles on campus
and increasing pedestrian safety were also pinpointed as preferred concepts.
The plan calls for, among many things, the realignment of some roadways,
a possible pedestrian overpass, construction of new parking garages and
buildings not less than four stories high.

With the capacity to expand its academic buildings by more than 94 acres
over the next two decades, the University Park campus must establish a basic
long-term, organized plan for growth that can accommodate the expected need
for better facilities.

Dick Rigterink of Johnson, Johnson & Roy Inc., master plan
consultants, explained that the planning team is looking at three levels
of detail: the campuswide pattern from the golf course across Atherton Street
on the west to the Mount Nittany Expressway (322) on the east; subcampus
or district patterns in specific blocks across campus, such as the area
around Old Main; and the preferred broad principles and concepts that will
guide the entire master plan, such as a desire for more green space and
the expansion of the vehicle-free zone across campus.

The planning team consists of JJR Inc., lead campus planners, KCF/SHG,
architectural consultants, and Travers Associates, transportation and traffic
consultants. Rigterink stressed that the master plan process merely identifies
general directions the University can take and is not an implementation
project.

During the planning team's last visit in June, three alternatives for
the master plan were presented. Of the three, the one that Rigterink said
was the unmistakable favorite was the alternative that doubled the amount
of open areas on campus.

Under this scenario, not only would Old Main lawn, the HUB lawn and Hort
Woods (along Park Avenue) remain intact, but new areas -- such as Pollock
Field, a section of the current parking Lot 80 (near Park Avenue and Bigler
Road) and pedestrian corridors linking major existing open spaces-- would
be opened up. One such corridor identified by planners is a stretch from
Pattee Library to The Bryce Jordan Center, which would create a major east/west
pedestrian passageway. Another potential pedestrian corridor would be the
extension of the East Mall to beyond Pattee Library over to Hort Woods,
which would add two acres of open area and provide a major north/south corridor
through campus. Currently, the Forum Building stands in the way of such
a plan, but Rigterink said as the building wears out within the next 15
years, it should not be rebuilt in the same spot. A portion of Hammond Building,
which faces College Avenue, should also be removed, the planners said, to
open up the barrier it presents and allow a view of the old president's
house and the new Alumni Center that will be constructed on the grounds
behind it.

The planners said most new buildings would be constructed to the east
of the central part of campus, shifting the academic core out toward Beaver
Stadium. In this plan to move east, a Visitor's Center could sit on the
corner of Porter Road and Park Avenue on land that is currently used for
agricultural purposes. Planners also said one- and two-story buildings are
an inefficient use of space and only four-story or five-story structures
should be an option. Under the plan, a portion of Parking Lot 80 would be
used for academic structures and a parking deck.

"A lot of our building sites are on existing parking lots,"
Rigterink said. "But we are keeping the supply and demand of parking
spaces in balance by relocating them."

Rigterink was referring to the four areas identified in the master plan
as potential locations for parking garages. They include an area on the
most western edge of West Campus (across Atherton); where the Applied Science
Building now stands; Lot 80, off of Bigler Road; and just off of University
Drive, south of Shields Building.

"Although we are keeping the parking spaces in balance, we want
people to bicycle, walk or carpool," Rigterink said. Which is why a
plan for a bicycle path which links to other paths in the State College
area will be drawn up as the process moves forward.

As academic buildings move eastward, they will occupy ground currently
used by the Athletic Department. To accommodate such a shift, land currently
used as grazing fields would be taken over by the Athletic Department and
the grazing areas would eventually transfer to the other side of the expressway.
The consultants said to handle this expansion Porter Road would need to
be shifted out toward the expressway and become the link for the proposed
Eastern Inner Loop for the region, instead of University Drive. The Inner
Loop is a plan being discussed by local governments to create a road that
would divert traffic around the University and State College.

Rigterink called University Drive the "Atherton of the future,"
and said a pedestrian overpass might be necessary there as the campus expands
eastward. The planners envision College Avenue as the primary community
road, while Park Avenue has been pinpointed as primarily a campus access
road. To limit the number of vehicles traveling through campus, traffic
on Pollock Road and a portion of Shortlidge Road from Curtin Road to Pollock
would be prohibited. Buses only would be allowed on certain sections of
roadway within the current campus core area.

One concern Rigterink said has been expressed through these open meetings
is how the development plan for the 53-acre West Campus (across Atherton)
fits into the current discussions of the Campus Master Plan and the shift
eastward. The consultant said they are currently looking at the West Campus
plans, which may be revised to keep the buildings closer to Atherton and
the academic core.

"We are looking for the West Campus to be self-sufficient, meaning
you can park there," Rigterink said. "We are entertaining variations
to that plan, however."

The next open meeting on the Campus Master Plan is slated for Nov. 12.

Sweet music

Elizabeth Lyon, one of four family members who make up the
Lyon Family Chamber Ensemble, played the cello before a press conference
of the Commission for the Advancement of the Arts. Lyon is 8 years old,
and has been playing cello for three years. The event was held to discuss
progress made by the group in promoting the arts. The group focuses on finding
new opportunities for town/gown collaboration to foster an appreciation
and understanding of the arts.
Photo: Greg Grieco

Conference draws leaders
in diversity field

By Karen WagnerPublic Information

More than 400 representatives from higher education and industry learned
that managing diversity means focusing on issues other than race, gender
and sexual orientation. "Best Practices in Diversity" was the
subject they gathered to discuss Sept. 18­20 at University Park in this
first-ever collaboration.

"Successful management of diversity requires that we acknowledge
the fact that diversity already exists in the workplace, be they generational
issues, family care issues or dress preference," said Roosevelt
Thomas Jr., keynote speaker and president of the American Institute
for Managing Diversity.

"Employing and supervising a workforce with any kind of differences
generates tensions. Executives need to clearly outline goals, guiding principles
and realistic outcomes that center on work requirements -- not personal
preferences," he said.

Thomas gave the example of an executive upset by the sight of a male
employee sporting a ponytail. Before he could issue an ultimatum he was
stopped by another executive enthused about the employee's talent, performance
and contributions.

"It can be a struggle to set aside your personal preferences and
focus on the work of the company," said Thomas.

In introducing Thomas, President Graham B. Spanier emphasized
Penn State's commitment to access -- making its teaching, research and service
initiatives available to a broad and diverse public.

"Diversity is inherent in our collective commitment to access. It
is essential to the quality of education for all students," Spanier
said. "Yet, what seems so straightforward conceptually, can be difficult
and complex."

Wong said the best diversity programs include careful assessment of the
current workplace culture, reward and recognition for those who support
diversity and guiding principles for management and employees.

"The organizations that use the best diversity practices also have
a process for accountability. They monitor the progress of those initiatives,"
he said.

Other organizations and institutions selected to present included Michigan
State, Ohio State, University of Michigan, University of Wisconsin, University
of Illinois, Indiana University, Purdue University, University of Kentucky,
Penn State, Corning Asahi, PPG Industries, Sprint Business, Kodak, HR Donnelly
and Sons, Shakti for Children and The Winters Group.

The conference was a continuing and distance education service of Penn
State's Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity and the College of Education
in collaboration with the Committee on Institutional Cooperation. It was
supported, in part, by Penn State's Alumni Association, the Office of International
Programs, and Penn State's Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost;
DuPont, Merck Pharmaceuticals, MetLife Insurance, Eastman Kodak, AT&T,
FMC Corporation, Cigna, Corning Asahi and Lucent Technologies.

University to dedicate
powerful research tool

On Oct. 8 the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, a joint project that helped produce
one of the world's premier astronomical research tools, will be dedicated
at The University of Texas McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis, Texas --
and Penn State played a major role in its formation. The Intercom will
cover this important scientific event in the Oct. 15 issue.

Sitting atop Mount Fowlkes in the Davis Mountains of west Texas, the
Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) is a joint project of The University of Texas
at Austin, Penn State, Stanford University, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat
Munchen, and Georg-August-Universitat Gottingen. The construction of the
telescope was funded in part by Penn State philanthropist Robert E. Eberly.
The instrument is named for both Eberly and William P. Hobby, who served
as lieutenant governor of Texas from 1973-91.

The Hobby-Eberly Telescope is uniquely designed to collect and analyze
light from astronomical objects such as comets, planets, stars and galaxies
using a technique called spectroscopy.

The telescope is already generating international interest in the scientific
community for pioneering innovative, collaborative and cost-conscious science.
There will be more to come on this significant scientific breakthrough in
future issues of Intercom.

Students build new telescope's
first scientific instrument

By Barbara K. KennedyEberly College of Science

Two Penn State graduate students built and tested the first scientific
instrument for one of the world's largest, most powerful and most economical
optical telescopes, the new Hobby-Eberly Telescope, which is scheduled for
its grand-opening ceremony on Oct. 8. Two Penn State undergraduate students
built and tested calibration devices for the instrument.

Used for gathering information on stars, galaxies and planets and more,
the spectrograph instrument (UFOE), which astronomy graduate students Jason
Harlow and David Andersen built in the basement of Penn State's
Osmond Laboratory on the University Park campus, recently produced the telescope's
first scientifically interesting information, according to their supervisor
Lawrence W. Ramsey, a Penn State professor of astronomy and astrophysics
and the telescope's project scientist. Undergraduate students Lester
Chou and Eric Mamajek did their work on the instrument's calibration
devices in the Department of Astronomy at Penn State.

The Hobby-Eberly Telescope is uniquely designed for spectroscopy-- the
collection and analysis of light from astronomical objects such as comets,
planets, stars and galaxies. Spectroscopy provides astronomers with a wealth
of information, such as what stars are made of, how far away they are and
how fast they are moving. Astronomers will use the telescope to search for
planets in orbit around other stars, learn more about the "dark matter"
that surrounds galaxies and refine theories about how stars and galaxies
are born and how they die.

"We are going to get exciting new science from this telescope,"
Ramsey said. "Plus, it already is giving us a wealth of fantastic training
opportunities for the next generation of scientific leaders."

In addition to building the UFOE spectrograph, Harlow helped to install
it at the telescope site in the Davis Mountains of West Texas at The University
of Texas McDonald Observatory at Fort Davis. Another young Penn State scientist,
distinguished postdoctoral Fellow Christopher Churchill, developed
the software that will be used by virtually all scientists who analyze data
from the UFOE instrument.

Ramsey says the UFOE spectrograph, which was designed specifically for
testing and commissioning the telescope, was built for a tiny fraction of
the cost of the higher-quality operating instruments currently planned for
future installation on the telescope.

"On practically a zero budget, the students recycled and upgraded
an older instrument that we had built here in the mid-1980s," he said.
"It recently has produced test spectra of sufficient quality to serve
as a guide for planning the telescope's science program."

The Hobby-Eberly Telescope is a joint project of Penn State, The University
of Texas at Austin, Stanford University, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat
Munchen, and Georg-August-Universitat Goettingen.

Acting Up

Employees in Undergraduate Education kicked off their United
Way Campaign with a skit, "It Was a Wonderful Life," which depicted
a community without a United Way. From left are Donna Meyer, Sue Irwin,
Deloris Brobeck, Mark Hinsh, Linda Ellenberger and Shelby Hoy. Undergraduate
Education is sponsoring a new United Way event, "Walk N' Roll,"
at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Recreation Building on the University Park
campus. Individuals who want to walk, skate or ride a bicycle in the event
may pre-register
by calling (814) 865-5379 or (814) 466-7530.
Photo: Greg Grieco

Campaign for United Way kicks off

With enthusiasm and confidence, volunteers have officially launched the
1997 University Park Campus United Way Campaign.

J.D. Hammond, dean of The Smeal College of Business Administration
and campus chair, announced a goal of $475,000 for this year's campaign.

The campus goal was announced at a kickoff breakfast for the Centre County
United Way, which supports 35 social service agencies. The county-wide campaign
hopes to raise $1.45 million.

Hammond said he and leaders of the county campaign have visited all of
the college deans and administrative unit heads at University Park.

"We stressed the importance of the United Way and what we hope they
would accomplish. I feel very positive about every single one of our visits,"
he said.

The United Way's Pacesetter campaign, which ran through August, raised
$520,926, an increase of 16 percent over last year. The Penn State Campaign
Steering Committee, which participated for the first time as a Pacesetter
group, reported raising $10,621.

The video produced for the Centre County United Way was shown at the
kickoff breakfast. It was produced by Chuck Ungar, senior producer-director
at WPSX-TV.

New at Behrend

To be dedicated in ceremonies on Oct. 3, Almy Hall is Penn
State Erie, Behrend College's latest edition to its residence hall facilities.
Constructed at a cost of $5 million, Almy Hall houses 132 students, 80 percent
of whom are honors students or University Scholars. Penn State-Behrend is
scheduled to break ground in 1998 for another residence hall, which will
open in 1999. A third building will open in 2001. Almy Hall was named in
honor of sailing master Thomas C. Almy, a schooner commander during the
War of 1812.
Photo: Courtesy of Penn State Erie, Behrend College

Obituaries

Robert L. Bloom, groundskeeper, landscape, Office of Physical
Plant, from July 1, 1951, until his retirement June 28, 1986; died Aug.
31 at the age of 73.

E. Rita Burch, clerk at Penn State Abington, from April 10, 1961,
until her retirement May 1, 1981; died Aug. 26. She was 80.

Lewis S. Jodon, mechanic, experimental and maintenance, College
of Agricultural Sciences, from Feb. 11, 1957, until his retirement Aug.
1, 1987; died July 12 at the age of 75.

Mary K. Lockhoff, senior extension agent, College of Agricultural
Sciences, from July 1, 1954, until her retirement Oct. 1, 1984; died Aug.
5. She was 72.

Dorothy F. Mihelic, staff assistant, executive programs, Continuing
and Distance Education, from July 9, 1962, until her retirement June 30,
1982; died July 21 at the age of 77.

Robert Michael Owens, professor of computer science and engineering,
died Saturday, Sept. 13, in Pavia, Italy. A memorial service will be held
Oct. 13 at 11 a.m. in the Eisenhower Chapel on the University Park campus.
Family will meet with friends and colleagues immediately afterward in the
Chapel Memorial Lounge.

Before joining the Penn State faculty in 1980, Owens worked for IBM and
the Naval Surface Weapons Center. He was spending the 1997-98 academic year
on sabbatical leave with the University of Pavia in Pavia, Italy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Robert Michael Owens Named
Memorial Fund, Engineering Development Office, 101 Hammond Building, University
Park, Pa. 16802; or Robert Michael Owens Memorial Fund, The Arc of Centre
County, 1840 N. Atherton Street, State College, Pa. 16803; or Trinity Lutheran
Church Organ Fund, Corner of Laurel and Third Street, Philipsburg, Pa. 16866.

George L. Thuering, director of management engineering and professor
of industrial engineering, College of Engineering, from May 1, 1947, until
his retirement Oct. 1, 1982; died Aug. 23 at the age of 77.

Geraldine B. Watson, nutrition advisor, College of Agricultural
Sciences, from April 29, 1969, until her retirement July 1, 1988; died July
21. She was 69.

Adah A. Wolfe, research assistant, Applied Research Laboratory,
from July 17, 1961, until her retirement Feb. 1, 1989; died Aug. 23. She
was 72.

Private Giving

Engineer establishes
$50,000 scholarship

A gift of $50,000 from alumnus Norbert Gaelen, a 1947 industrial engineering
graduate, will endow a new scholarship for industrial engineering students
with an entrepreneurial flair.

The Norbert P. Gaelen Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Scholarship
is a need-based award to be given to engineering juniors who are interested
in developing entrepreneurial skills such as those provided by courses in
the Engineering Leadership Development minor.

Gaelen is the chairman and owner of the O. Berk Co. in Union, New Jersey,
a distributorship for glass, plastic and aluminum containers.

After his graduation in 1947, he joined the company which had been in
his family since 1925. O. Berk now employs 75 people and does approximately
$50 million in sales annually.

He is a member of the Penn State President's Club and has generously
supported the college for many years.

For the Record

Due to a change in his schedule, Paul Kossman, Alumni Fellow in
the College of Arts and Architecture, will not be at the University Park
campus on Sept. 26 as stated in an article on page 6 of the Sept. 18 Intercom.
Kossman's visit has been rescheduled for Thursday, Nov. 20.